Supplementation of Rice Straw with Leucaena leucocephala Leaves for Improved Growth Performance and Haematological Parameters of Goats in Northwestern Nigeria

Abstract

The research was carried out to determine the influence of supplementing rice straw with dried L. 
leucocephala leaves to improve growth performance and haematological indices of two different goat 
breeds. The experiment consists of Twelve (12) growing Sahelian goats and Red Sokoto bucks with an 
average weight of 14. ± 2.2 kg randomly assigned to four treatment groups: Treatment I consisted of 
Sahelian goats fed with Rice straw, Treatment II comprised of Red Sokoto bucks fed with Rice straw, 
Treatment III consisted of Sahelian goats fed Leucaena leaves supplement while Treatment IV 
consisted of Red Sokoto bucks fed Leucaena leaves supplement. All the experimental animals were fed 
a concentrated diet of 2 % body weight. The experiment was laid in a Randomized Completely Block 
Design (RCBD) with three (3) replications for 84 days. Growth performance was measured using 
standard methods while haematological parameters were determined using standard laboratory assay. 
Data obtained were analyzed using analysis of variance with Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test used 
to separate significant means at a 5% level. The result obtained revealed a significant difference 
(p≤0.05) in the growth parameters and haematological profile of the experimental animals. The result 
indicated significant improvement in average daily weight gain, final weight gain, feed intake, and feed 
efficiency among the experimental animals compared to their controls. However, a similar result was 
found in terms of haematological parameters with Sahelian goats producing the highest values for PCV, 
Hb, WBC, and RBC while Red Sokoto bucks had the highest values for Lymphocytes which indicated 
their high relative health status compared to other groups. Red Sokoto bucks therefore respond better to 
Leucaena leaves supplementation; thus, recommended for use in feeding trials involving such goat 
breeds.